1. CAUSES: From 1562-1598, eight religious wars were fought in France EFFECTS: Chaos, St. Bartholomew’s Massacre

2. François Dubois (1529-1584) Reproduction of La Saint-Barthélemy, ca. 1572-84 The famous painting of the Saint Bartholomew's Day massacre in Paris on August 24, 1572 depicts scenes from the most notorious incident in the French wars of religion and one of the most striking examples of the extremes of religious intolerance in the age. The Huguenot (French Calvinist) painter, François Dubois is reputed to have been an eyewitness to the massacre of thousands of his fellow Huguenots on the streets of Paris.

3. CAUSE: Henry IV, a Huguenot, became the first king of France’s Bourbon Dynasty. Many Catholics opposed him because he was Protestant. EFFECT: King Henry IV became Catholic to please his people

4. CAUSE: Henry IV wanted to heal France’s wounds and make France peaceful and prosperous EFFECTS: Henry IV issued the Edict of Nantes - declared Huguenots could live in France in peace and set up their own churches Henry also restored the monarchy to a strong position and keep peace in France. He was stabbed to death in 1610 by a Catholic fanatic.

5. CAUSE: After Henry IV dies, his son Louis XIII reigned and was a weak king EFFECTS: Louis XIII appointed Cardinal Richelieu as a minister. Richelieu virtually ruled France. Richelieu increased the power of the monarchy

6. CAUSE: French thinkers witnessed religious wars with horror EFFECT: French thinkers became “skeptics.” They doubted church teachings and sought the “truth” about life.